It is fair to say that Saturday night in Alvalade belonged to 'catano', or rather... Catamo. The young Mozambican took on the role of unlikely hero and decided the eternal derby against Benfica, leaving Sporting almost with both hands on the national championship trophy.

With a goal to open this match of the 28th round of the I League, just 46 seconds in, and another almost at the end, at 90+1', the Mozambican winger decided a balanced match, in which the national champions managed to equalize through the Danish Bah, at 45+3'.

Four days after qualifying for the Portuguese Cup final at Luz, the green and whites had the opportunity in Alvalade to move towards a new national championship title. The lions' stadium has been a true fortress and proof of this is that, with the triumph in this derby, Sporting reached their 14th victory in as many games as the visiting team.

In addition, and bridging a season that was very happy for Alvalade, Sporting once again defeated Benfica at home for the I League for the first time since 2020/21, a season in which they had also beaten the eagles with a goal in injury time, by Matheus Nunes (1-0), ending up being national champions after 19 years.

And speaking of happiness, Geny Catamo is yet to stop smiling. The youngster made the lions' fans explode with joy with the early goal, but the playing time proved that the excessive euphoria in these initial seconds was clearly exaggerated. Sporting became anxious as the minutes passed and allowed Benfica to move up the pitch and try to target Israel's goal.

Bah threw a bucket of cold water in Alvalade with the goal on the brink of half-time that left everything open for the second half. The match moved into a phase in which it was clear that, if there was no draw, it would fall to one side on a small detail. And it was in the entry of Daniel Bragança that Amorim may have won the match, as the youngster brought the necessary judgment when passing.

It is true that Benfica also threatened with a finish by Neres and a strong shot by Di María, one of the most booed by Sporting fans since the disagreement with Pote during the first half, for Israel's great defense, but it was felt in the stands that the lions were creating more for the victory than their rivals.

And it was the unlikely Mozambican, who was completely forgotten by Benfica's defense when marking a corner, who, inside the area, shot with his right foot, although he is left-footed, for a new explosion of enthusiasm. It is fair to say 'Cum Catamo', Geny.

Let's move on to the match notes:

Figure

Catamo's performance in this match was 'Genyo'. He scored before the first minute of the game had even passed and shot into Trubin's net again at the end. He was a real TGV on Sporting's right wing, with climbs and descents that caused problems for Roger Schmidt's men.

Surprise

St. Juste's relationship with injuries has not been easy since he arrived in Alvalade, but it seems that the Dutchman has already overcome this 'storm'. He played the entire derby, as he had done in Reboleira, and was even one of the best on the pitch. He appeared several times in more advanced areas of the pitch and gives incredible security to the defense when he tries to leave with the ball at his feet.

Disappointment

Rafa Silva has been a figure in Benfica on several occasions this season, but went somewhat unnoticed in this derby. On a good day, the Portuguese forward is a danger to opposing teams, but this Saturday was not his day. And the team suffered from the absence of one of the most creative players in the squad.

Coaches

Rúben Amorim:

He decided to correct some of the tactical ideas he had presented in last Tuesday's derby at Estádio da Luz and the truth is that he began to reap the rewards of these changes while some fans were still sitting down in Alvalade. The lions showed some anxiety during the second half, but the coach was quick to notice this. The exits of Gonçalo Inácio and Morita prove that Amorim was paying attention to what was happening on the pitch and that was where the difference lay in the match. Paulinho's entry ten minutes from the end gave the team the message that the game was to be won. And it was up to Geny Catamo to shoot for the lions' glory.

Roger Schmidt:

It was a week to forget for Benfica's helmsman. After the performance that was presented at Estádio da Luz on Tuesday, it was expected that the incarnates would go to their rival's home to try, at least, to replicate what had happened. But the eagles were far from what they presented in the Cup. Schmidt once again showed limitations in the games against their rivals and there are already three consecutive games without winning against Sporting and FC Porto. It is true that the Luz club could have taken something other than defeat home, but there was a lack of enthusiasm in the final stretch in search of victory.

Refereeing

Difficult game with a lot of work for the team led by Artur Soares Dias. He had no influence on the final result, but the truth is that he could have used another criterion to analyze the move between Di María and Pote in the first half, as well as more impetuous entries by Hjulmand. He was right to show the red to Aursnes.

Also Read: Catamo released the 'Genyo' in the derby. Sporting wins and the title is closer (Portuguese version)